Listen & Review: The Phantom Prince

“I looked up at Ted and our eyes locked. His face had gone blank, as though he was not there at all. I had a sense he wasn’t seeing me. I struggled to pull myself into the raft. He didn’t move, he didn’t speak. I could find no expression on his face.”

I want to put a warning at the top of this review. If you haven’t read or listened to the book (or plan to at some point), please note there are discussions of murder, violence against women and children, sexual assault, alcoholism, drug use, and suicidal thoughts throughout.

Please take care and use discretion.

Plot Summary

This updated 1981 memoir by Elizabeth Kendall provides a look into her six-year relationship with serial killer Ted Bundy. She recounts her life during those years and the time leading up to his arrest. The book opens and closes with updates from Elizabeth and her daughter, Molly.

Spoilers Ahead: Read at Your Own Risk!

General Thoughts

This book gave a perspective to the life of Ted Bundy. It showed an up-close look at the killer and shows truly how manipulative he was to those around him. He gaslit and charmed everyone with little effort and as a listener/reader, at times it was a hard book to get through (as we know the outcome).

It’s also very important to note that as outsiders to the situation, it can be easy to say, “How can you not see what’s happening?!” But as readers, we were not there nor were we part of his web of lies and manipulation. Elizabeth was also a victim of Ted Bundy, but in a very different way.

I think the most important parts are the preface and the afterword updates from the newest edition. Before adding her edits and changes to those sections, she re-read the memoir in full. She mentions in the afterword that there are many pages she wishes she could rip out because she’s changed a lot as a person since 1981.

One of my favorite passages—also in the afterword—she says: “This is my chance to write a more clear-eyed version of the statements I wrote so many years ago. ‘The tragedy is that this warm and loving man is driven to kill’ should read: ‘The tragedy is that this violent and manipulative man directed his murderous rage at innocent young women to satisfy his insane urges.’”

Elizabeth then further explains how if she wrote the book now instead of back in 1981, that she would have changed the title, among several other things throughout the book. Molly also offers her perspective of Ted Bundy as she was growing up in the afterword. It’s read by Molly herself and both women’s experiences are haunting and emotional.

Listen Again?

Reading and listening to books are two different experiences, so I’m thinking I may read when I pick it up next time. Listening to this book was a powerful experience, but also a somber and emotional one.

* * *

The book ends: “And now I go forward with my new mantra: ‘Life is a gift and you still have it. Have the courage to be happy.’”

And I think that’s fitting.

Narrator: 4/5

Story: 4/5

Ending: 5/5

Overall Rating: 4/5

Have you read or listened to The Phantom Prince? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.